
King Mohammed VI Receives Sahel Alliance Foreign Ministers in Rabat
The visit brought together Karamoko Jean Marie Traore, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, Abdoulaye Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali, and Bakary Yaou Sangare, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger's transitional government.
The audience reflected the depth of Morocco's long-standing relations with the three Sahel countries, founded on genuine bilateral ties, mutual respect, and a spirit of active solidarity.
The ministers conveyed heartfelt messages from their Heads of State, who expressed gratitude for King Mohammed VI's constant attention to the Sahel's needs and aspirations.
In their remarks, the ministers commended the King's initiative to open Atlantic access to Sahel countries, describing it as a decisive step toward greater economic opportunity and regional integration.
They also voiced strong support for the project and affirmed their readiness to work towards its swift materialization.
The ministers presented an update on the development of the Alliance of Sahel States. They outlined the efforts underway to strengthen the alliance's institutional and operational foundations, positioning it as a key platform for cooperation among the three countries.
This meeting reaffirmed Morocco's role as a trusted partner in the region and underlined a shared determination to pursue deeper integration and sustainable development across the Sahel.
Earlier this week, Niger's Foreign Minister called Morocco an 'essential partner' for Sahel countries, including those in the Sahel States Confederation, during a gathering at the Crans Montana Forum in Casablanca.
He commended King Mohammed VI's initiative to grant Sahel nations access to the Atlantic, highlighting its importance for the region's landlocked countries. Mali's Foreign Minister also lauded Morocco's 'constructive and respectful approach' in its relations with African partners, particularly through the Royal Atlantic Initiative. Tags: King Mohammed VIMorocco and SahelMorocco SahelSahel Alliance
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Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Sahara: Tebboune's Delusional Rant Exposes Algeria's Diplomatic Collapse
Marrakech – In a display of arrogance and self-deception, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune spewed a torrent of lies and distortions during his televised interview on Friday. The physically slouched dictator, legs splayed apart in what commentators described as a seemingly undignified posture befitting a street thug rather than a head of state, desperately clung to Algeria's increasingly isolated position on Western Sahara while attacking countries supporting Morocco's territorial integrity. 'I'm not going to abandon the Sahrawis to please certain parties and become an imperialist. With the exception of our position, all others are imperialist,' declared Tebboune, labeling major world powers as 'imperialist' for recognizing reality. In the same breath, he peddled blatant falsehoods about international recognition, fraudulently claiming: 'Today, the Western Sahara is recognized by half of the African Union members' and 'there are 55 states that recognize the Sahrawi Republic.' In reality, less than a third of AU members and fewer than half his claimed number recognize this phantom entity. The scripted charade, broadcast in carefully delayed format across Algeria's state-controlled media, was meant to showcase Tebboune's authority but instead revealed a decrepit regime crumbling under the weight of its own failures. Even the typically subservient Algerian journalists dared to challenge the president's delusional worldview. Tebboune faces rare pushback from Algeria's usually compliant press Mohamed Ousmani, director of information at Ennahar TV, punctured Tebboune's bubble by suggesting that Algeria's 'entêtement' (stubborn refusal to change) and 'manque de pragmatisme' (lack of pragmatism) directly caused the country's humiliating diplomatic defeats against Morocco. When Tebboune insisted Algeria would never abandon its principles regardless of global circumstances, the journalist retorted that this inflexibility was precisely what led to Algeria's consistent diplomatic setbacks, particularly regarding the Sahara artificial dispute. Visibly disturbed by this rare journalistic courage, Tebboune bristled with barely concealed rage and attempted to intimidate the reporter by demanding examples of such failures. Instead of citing the obvious – recognition of Morocco's Sahara sovereignty by the United States, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and numerous African countries – Ousmani diplomatically replied that 'relations with neighbors should be based on pragmatism, which remains the cornerstone of diplomacy and international relations.' His intimidation tactics kicked in immediately as he snarled at the journalist: 'Are you suggesting we abandon our support for the Polisario and become imperialist?' Tebboune then insinuated sinister 'soubassements' (underpinnings) behind the question, implying the reporter was doing someone else's bidding – a typical authoritarian tactic to silence criticism. Another journalist dared mention Algeria's growing international isolation, which Tebboune dismissed as mere 'manœuvres quotidiennes' (daily maneuvers) from Algeria's enemies, refusing to confront the stark reality of his diplomatic failures. The US sees Algeria as stubborn, stagnant, and out of touch Tebboune's delusions clash violently with facts on the ground. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy's recent report 'Strategic U.S. Engagement with Algeria' brutally dissects Algeria's strategic predicament, pointing out the 'unprecedented Western alignment behind Morocco's plan' and 'what appears to be an irreversible U.S. position of recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.' The report bluntly characterizes Algeria as having 'a well-earned reputation for resistance to change' while facing 'roiling domestic dissatisfaction' that could force changes in its international partnerships. The think tank suggests that if Algeria ever returns to rational diplomacy, 'Algiers might even conceivably play a role in persuading the Polisario to accept a negotiated model of self-governance, with the Moroccan autonomy plan as the starting framework.' It acknowledges that such a sensible approach remains 'unlikely' given the regime's ideological obstinacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hammered another nail in Algeria's diplomatic coffin in April, declaring Morocco's Autonomy Plan 'the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.' The message was clear: Algeria stands alone in its rejectionist stance. Even longtime Polisario sympathizers are jumping ship Meanwhile, Tebboune's few remaining African allies are abandoning ship. Jacob Zuma, founder of South Africa's UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and third political force in the country, recently stood in Rabat and publicly affirmed Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. He called for strong diplomatic and economic partnership between South Africa and Morocco – a direct repudiation of Tebboune's failed policies. Zuma's party has issued a damaging ultimatum to President Cyril Ramaphosa, one of Polisario's last major supporters, who has been in power since February 14, 2018, giving him just two days to resign. The party organized confrontational demonstrations at the presidential palace in Pretoria last Friday, condemning Ramaphosa's 'negative record.' If it were to happen, this development would mimic what occurred in Peru when, in September 2023, the new Peruvian president withdrew recognition of the self-styled 'SADR' just months after former president Pedro Castillo's arrest in December 2022. In Tebboune's fantasy fleet, even the lifeboats are sinking When not spouting geopolitical fantasies, Tebboune retreated to economic fiction. Questioned about a supposed $20 billion Malaysian investment, he fumbled: 'in the industry sector!' – unable to provide even basic details of this likely imaginary deal. His litany of fabrications continued with claims that 'In Africa and the Maghreb, we are leaders in artificial intelligence use, especially by our army,' and the laughable assertion that Algeria had transformed from a 'school' into 'the world's largest university for counter-terrorism.' Tebboune's numbers grew increasingly fantastical as the interview progressed. He boasted of 85% completion for 13,000 investment projects, promised a 90-million-quintal cereal security stock, and hallucinated an agricultural production supposedly worth $38 billion in 2025 – figures that analysts consider divorced from economic reality. While bragging of Algeria's supposed economic resilience despite oil price fluctuations, Tebboune conveniently ignored that hydrocarbons still account for 96% of exports, exposing his economic diversification claims as hollow propaganda. The spectacle confirmed what observers have long known: Tebboune inhabits an alternate reality, continuing to praise the Algerian ship as the world's most magnificent vessel even as it takes on water from all sides – trapped between diplomatic isolation, economic stagnation, and growing regional irrelevance. Tags: Algerian President Abdelmadjid TebbouneAlgerian regimeWestern sahara


Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
A US think tank credits Algeria with a role in resolving the Sahara issue
An American think tank with close ties to Israel is lobbying in favor of Algeria's interests under the Trump administration. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, founded in 1985, stated in a recent report that «Algeria can serve as a key U.S. security partner in an increasingly volatile region». In January, Algiers and Washington even signed a military memorandum of understanding. The think tank encourages U.S. officials to «capitalize on Algeria» eagerness to restore its global image as a capable peace broker on the continent. However, that «eagerness» has been met with rejection by Sahel countries. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—united since September 2023 under the Alliance of Sahel States—have strongly denounced what they described as «Algerian interference in their internal affairs». Beyond the instability in the Sahel, the think tank also acknowledges Algeria's «crucial role» in resolving the Western Sahara conflict. «Boosting Algeria's self-perception as a valued partner will be critical given the unprecedented Western alignment behind Morocco's plan to negotiate a resolution to the Western Sahara conflict at the UN Security Council, and what appears to be an irreversible U.S. position of recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory». The report suggests that «Algiers might even conceivably play a role in persuading the Polisario to accept a negotiated model of self-governance, with the Moroccan autonomy plan as the starting framework. But this unlikely development would have to be premised on U.S. respect for Algeria». Despite claiming only «observer status» similar to Mauritania, Algeria has officially rejected the most recent UN Security Council resolutions calling for the resumption of the Round Table process, which has been stalled since March 2019. On Thursday, Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its support for a resolution allowing the Sahrawi people «to exercise their inalienable and imprescriptible right to self-determination, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of international legality emanating from the General Assembly or the Security Council». For the record, Algeria hired U.S. lobbying firm BGR Group in September 2024 to defend its interests in Washington. The firm is known for its strong ties to Israel. Notable figures such as John Bolton, a staunch supporter of both the Polisario Front and Israel, the late Republican Senator James Inhofe (who passed away on July 9, 2024), and former UN envoy for Western Sahara James Baker, all voiced support for Algeria's position. In December 2020, all three welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv but simultaneously condemned President Donald Trump's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.


Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
French Military Withdraws from Last Base in Senegal
Rabat – The French military handed over its last military base and withdrew its troops on Thursday. This marks the end of a departure process that started in March. France has officially handed over its two remaining military bases in Senegal, leaving the one-time colonial power with no permanent presence in West Africa. The largest Military Camp Geille and the Airfield at Dakar have been officially presented to the Senegalese national armed forces. This final handover was conducted during a ceremony on Thursday, attended by the top French and Senegalese officers, including the West African country's military chief Mbaye Cisse. Cisse said that this withdrawal supports the country's new defence strategy. 'Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion and Africa,' he affirmed. This mutually agreed upon withdrawal is designed to begin a new phase of French–Senegalese bilateral relations, argued General Pascal Innai, head of the French forces. This handover follows a three-month withdrawal process which has taken place since March, with the removal of 350 French military troops from their bases they have controlled since granting their former African colonies independence in 1960. The new Senegalese President who was elected on a substantial mandate in 2024, stated shortly after taking office that having troops and military bases in Senegal was incompatible with national sovereignty. Senegal's new government took a hard line against the presence of French troops, coming within a broader regional backlash against the former colonial nation. France also withdrew earlier this year from its permanent bases in Chad and the Ivory Coast. The governments in the new Alliance of Sahel States have expelled the French both militarily and diplomatically. France will retain a small presence in some of these countries for the purposes of providing defense training and support to national militaries. But whatever form France's presence takes in Africa in the coming years, this withdrawal marks the formal end of Paris's neo-colonialist military presence within the West African region.